Method and apparatus for flocking an article and the article produced thereby

Abstract

An apparatus and an electrostatic process employing the apparatus which is capable of flocking spring clips of the type used in commercial applications, such as those used in the automotive industry to attach an instrument panel to an interior support structure. The apparatus and process are capable of securely adhering the flocking fibers uniformly over the irregular surfaces of a spring clip such that the spring clip can be more readily assembled while also acting to significantly dampen the vibration between the members joined by the clip. In addition, the apparatus also provides the added feature of requiring minimal space by introducing the fibers at a single point on the perimeter of the apparatus. The fibers are guided by the perimeter of the apparatus until a sufficient electrostatic charge is imparted to attract the fibers to the spring clip.

Having described my invention, I claim: 
     
       1. A clip for retaining a first object to a second object wherein the second object has a feature for engaging a clip, the clip comprising: a spring member;   an adhesive applied to the spring member;   flock material secured to the spring member with the adhesive;   said clip having a hose being manufactured in accordance with the method comprising the steps of:   applying an adhesive layer to a uniform depth completely covering the outside portion of the surface of the spring portion of said spring member;   inserting the spring member into a flocking apparatus;   electrically charging the flocking apparatus while oppositely charging the spring member; and   introducing flocking fibers into the flocking apparatus so as to attribute an electrical charge to the fibers which is opposite to the electrical charge of the spring member;   whereby the fibers are electrostatically applied to the surface of the spring member, the fibers thereafter being permanently secured to the spring member by the adhesive layer of sufficient thickness, and the flocking fibers reduce the friction between the spring member and said feature of the second object to facilitate assembly, and whereby the flocking fibers dampen vibration between the first object and the second object.   
     
     
       2. The clip of claim 1 further comprising a base member from which the spring member resiliently extends. 
     
     
       3. The clip of claim 1 wherein the flock material comprises nylon fibers having a length of about 0.04 to about 0.05 inches and a fineness from about 3 to about 6 deniers. 
     
     
       4. The clip of claim 1 wherein the clip is formed from spring steel. 
     
     
       5. The clip of claim 1 wherein the adhesive is an epoxy resin. 
     
     
       6. The clip of claim 1 wherein the adhesive is applied to a thickness of approximately one tenth the length of the flock materials. 
     
     
       7. The clip of claim 1 wherein the clip is spring steel clip for use in automotive applications in which a first object is secured to a second object wherein the second object has an opening for engaging the clip, the clip comprising: a base member;   a spring member resiliently extending from the base member;   an epoxy resin adhesive applied to the base member and the spring member; and   flock fibers secured to the base member and the spring member with the adhesive;   whereby the flock fibers reduce the friction between the clip and the opening in the second object to facilitate assembly, and whereby the flock fibers dampen vibration between the first object and the second object.   
     
     
       8. The clip of claim 7 wherein the flock fibers are nylon fibers having a length of approximately 0.045 inches and a fineness from about 3 to about 6 deniers. 
     
     
       9. The clip of claim 7 wherein the adhesive is applied to a thickness of approximately one tenth the length of the flock fibers.